CD ROM holder suitable for binding

ABSTRACT

A CD-ROM holder suitable for binding. In a preferred embodiment, the CD-ROM is sealed between two vinyl sheets by means of a heat sealing operation. A cardboard spacer is positioned around the CD-ROM in order to limit its movement and to provide a consistent thickness across a majority of the holder. The holder is then gathered with the signatures of the book and bound therewith, after which a portion of the holder is trimmed off in the book trimming operation. One of the heat seal lines on the holder provides a convenient tear line for removing the holder (and hence the CD-ROM) from the bound book.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to book binding and, moreparticularly, to a CD-ROM holder suitable for binding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has become increasingly common for books to be sold with anaccompanying CD-ROM (Compact Disc--Read Only Memory). The CD-ROMcontains computer software and/or data which may be utilized with acomputer. Typically, the information contained on the CD-ROM complementsand/or augments the information contained in the book, and the book andCD-ROM are intended for use together.

Currently, most such applications relate to books about computers andcomputer software, where the CD-ROM contains examples to be run on acomputer that are complementary to the instructional text in the book.However, with the proliferation of personal computers, it is becomingincreasingly common for books on non-technical subjects to include aCD-ROM. For example, a book about Africa might include a CD-ROMcontaining video segments of local wildlife and native culture.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the prior art method for packaging a CD-ROM10 with a book 12 is to insert the CD-ROM 10 into a plastic or papersleeve pocket 14 which is then affixed to the inside back cover of thebook 12, such as by adhesive tape. This prior art method is extremelycostly, as the CD-ROMs 10 must be affixed to the books 12 after thebooks 12 are bound. In a typical prior art process, a pallet load ofbooks 12 are delivered to the printer from the bindery and machine ormanual labor is used to insert the CD-ROM 10 into the sleeve pocket 14,which is then applied to the inside back cover of the book 12. Suchsecondary labor operations are obviously very time consuming andextremely expensive. They require double handling of the books 12, addedshipping charges between the bindery and the printer, and require thebooks 12 to be boxed off-line from the binding process. This increasesthe cost of the book, making it more difficult for the publisher to sellthe book, or reducing the profit margin on the book.

Another problem associated with the prior art method is that the CD-ROM10 is not securely attached to the book 12. It is common for many of theCD-ROMs 10 to fall out of the books 12 during shipping and retailhandling. It is also common for the CD-ROMs 10 to be stolen from thebooks 12 that are on retail display, as the CD-ROM 10 is easilyaccessible and removable.

There is therefore a need for a CD-ROM holder that may be affixed to abook during the binding process. There is also a need for a CD-ROMholder that prevents the CD-ROM from becoming disassociated with thebook during shipping and retail handling. Finally, there is a need for aCD-ROM holder that makes retail theft of the CD-ROM difficult. Thepresent invention is directed toward meeting these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a CD-ROM holder suitable for binding.In a preferred embodiment, the CD-ROM is sealed between two vinyl sheetsby means of a heat sealing operation. The holder is then gathered withthe signatures of the book and bound therewith. One of the heat seallines on the holder provides a convenient tear line for removing theholder (and hence the CD-ROM) from the bound book.

In one form of the invention a data disk holder suitable for binding isdisclosed, comprising first and second sheets of heat-sealable material;a data disk positioned between the first and second sheets; and at leastone heat-seal fusing the first and second sheets; wherein the data diskis substantially surrounded by the heat-seal and cannot be removed fromthe holder without breaking the heat-seal or cutting one of the firstand second sheets.

In another form of the invention a method for binding a data disk into abook is disclosed, comprising the steps of: a) providing first andsecond sheets of heat-sealable material; b) positioning the data diskbetween the first and second sheets; c) forming at least one heat-sealfusing the first and second sheets, thereby forming a data disk holder,wherein the spacer is substantially surrounded by the heat-seal; d)providing at least one printed signature; e) gathering the holder withthe at least one signature; and f) binding the holder and the at leastone signature in order to form the book.

In another form of the invention a method for forming a data disk holdersuitable for binding is disclosed, comprising the steps of: a) providingfirst and second sheets of heat-sealable material; b) positioning thedata disk between the first and second sheets; and c) forming at leastone heat-seal fusing the first and second sheets, thereby forming a datadisk holder, wherein the spacer is substantially surrounded by theheat-seal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a prior art means forattaching a CD-ROM to a book.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the prior art means for attaching aCD-ROM to a book.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment CD-ROM holder of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a die used to form the preferred embodimentCD-ROM holder of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment CD-ROM holderof the present invention bound into a book prior to trimming.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment CD-ROM holderof the present invention bound into a book after trimming.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment CD-ROM holderof the present invention being torn out of a book into which it isbound.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment CD-ROM holder of thepresent invention after it has been removed from a book into which itwas bound.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a signature grabbing machine used withthe CD-ROM holder of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the signature grabbing machine of FIG.9 with an attachment adapting the machine for use with the CD-ROM holderof the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a book trimmer pressure pad for usewith the CD-ROM holder of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated inthe drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. Itwill nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended, such alterations and furthermodifications in the illustrated device, and such further applicationsof the principles of the invention as illustrated therein beingcontemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to whichthe invention relates.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment ofthe CD-ROM holder of the present invention, indicated generally at 20.The CD-ROM holder 20 is formed from two overlying sheets of vinyl orother material which may be heat sealed. In a preferred embodiment, theCD-ROM holder 20 is formed from two sheets of 12 gauge (0.012") frostyclear vinyl having a matte finish on one side. The CD-ROM holder 20 isformed by placing one sheet of vinyl upon a flat, horizontal surface,placing a CD-ROM 10 on top of the first vinyl sheet, placing a secondvinyl sheet on top of the CD-ROM 10, and then sealing the two vinylsheets together so that the CD-ROM 10 is encapsulated therein. The sealson the two sheets of vinyl are preferably formed by a heated die, suchas a die which utilizes radio frequency (RF) heating.

In a preferred embodiment, the CD-ROM holder 20 includes edge seals 22which substantially completely surround a perimeter of the CD-ROM holder20. The space or pocket 23 which captures the CD-ROM 10 is furtherdelineated by a longitudinal seal 24 and a transverse seal 26. Theenclosed pocket 23 which captures the CD-ROM 10 is therefore bounded onthe left by the longitudinal seal 24, on the bottom by the bottom seal22, on the right by the right hand seal 22 and on the top by thetransverse seal 26. Although the present invention comprehends a CD-ROMin which the CD-ROM 10 is simply contained within this sealed pocket 23,the preferred embodiment 20 of the present invention also includes aspacer 28 within the pocket 23 containing the CD-ROM 10. The exteriordimensions of the spacer 28 are slightly smaller than the dimensions ofthe pocket 23 into which it is sealed, and the spacer 28 includes acircular cut-out 30 therein which is slightly larger than the CD-ROM 10,thereby allowing the CD-ROM 10 to fit within the circular cut-out 30.Provision of the spacer 28 within the sealed pocket 23 substantiallyprevents movement of the CD-ROM 10 within the pocket 23 and has furtheradvantages as described hereinbelow. In a preferred embodiment, thespacer 28 is formed from a cardboard material having a thickness rangingfrom 24 points-30 points (0.024"-0.030") and is die cut from white C1Sblanks, such as those manufactured by Springhill and available fromInternational Paper Company of Memphis, Tenn.

The longitudinal seal 24 further defines a land 32 on the left hand sideof the CD-ROM holder 20. This is the edge that will be bound into thebook, and formation of the land 32 ensures that the pocket 23 containingthe CD-ROM 10 is spaced from the book binding. The land 32 has furtheradvantages in the signature grabbing operation of the binding process,as described hereinbelow. The CD-ROM holder 20 further includes a seriesof short longitudinal seals 34 which form small lands 36 therebetween.Wheels 34 and lands 36 provide a relatively stiff upper edge to theCD-ROM holder 20, which is desirable due to the fact that this upperedge of the CD-ROM holder 20 will be pushed by the binder along with theremaining signatures of the book, as described hereinbelow. Finally, arelatively wide transverse seal 38 is formed between the longitudinalseals 34 and the pocket 23 which holds the CD-ROM 10 and spacer 28. Asdescribed in greater detail hereinbelow, the relatively wide seal 38provides a clear area in which the upper edge of the book 12 may betrimmed after binding. The width of the seal area 38 allows for a widerange of tolerances in the trimming operation.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a plan view of thepreferred embodiment CD-ROM holder 20 heat-sealing die. The die isformed upon a base 40 upon which the various sealing bars are held bymeans of a series of chocks 42 that are screwed into the base 40, as isknown in the art. The sealing bars in FIG. 4 have been labelled so thatthey correspond numerically with the seals formed in the CD-ROM holder20 as illustrated in FIG. 3. For example, the sealing bar whichcorresponds to the seal 24 is labelled 24a, while the sealing bar whichcorresponds to the seal 38 is labelled 38a. The remaining sealing barsare numbered in an analogous manner.

As is known in the art, it is common practice to print and assemble bookpages into signatures which are then gathered together for binding, suchas by a perfect binding process. One advantage of the CD-ROM holder ofthe present invention is that it may be treated like a book signatureduring the binding process and may therefore flow through the normalbinding equipment. During such a perfect binding process, the signaturesare gathered in the desired order, with the CD-ROM holder 20 beingtreated as one of the signatures. A hot melt adhesive is then applied tothe binding edge of the signatures and a cover 50 is then wrappedtherearound. When the adhesive sets, the signatures (including theCD-ROM holder 20) are bound to each other and to the cover 50. It shouldbe noted that, while the CD-ROM holder 20 is typically placed betweenthe last paper signature and the back cover 50 of the book 12, theCD-ROM holder 20 may be placed at any location within the book due tothe fact that it is treated like any other signature during the bindingprocess.

As is known in the art, the book signatures are gathered together by agathering machine in preparation for applying the cover 50. Thegathering machine chain pushes on the signatures along the top edge(using the orientation of FIG. 5) in order to move the signaturesthrough the machine. Because the CD-ROM holder 20 is being pushed alongthis top edge, the seals 34 and lands 36 are formed along this edge inorder to provide structural rigidity to the CD-ROM holder 20 at thislocation. The structure 34, 36 prevents the relatively flexible vinylmaterial from which the CD-ROM holder 20 is made from buckling as it isbeing pushed by the gathering machine chain. Furthermore, the land 32 isprovided along the left edge of the CD-ROM holder 20 in order to providea surface to be inserted into the hot melt adhesive that will form thebinding of the book 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the book 12 signatures, including the CD-ROMholder 20 signature, are formed with dimensions that exceed the finisheddimension of the book 12. This allows for the bound signatures to betrimmed in order to provide a clean edge on all sides of the book 12.The dashed line 52 indicates the line along which the trimming cut willbe made at the upper end of the book 12. The book 12 is illustrated inFIG. 6 after this trimming operation has taken place. As is readilyapparent from the drawings, the upper trimming cut extends through theseal 38 on the CD-ROM holder 20, thereby causing the upper portion ofthe CD-ROM holder 20 that includes the seals 34 and the lands 36 to bediscarded. As discussed hereinabove with reference to FIG. 3, the seal38 is formed as a relatively wide seal in order to allow for tolerancesin the trimming operation.

As shown in FIG. 7, after the CD-ROM holder 20 has been securely boundinto the book 12, it may be removed therefrom by tearing the CD-ROMholder 20 along the longitudinal seal 24. Formation of the longitudinalseal 24 into the vinyl material of the CD-ROM holder 20 forms a naturaltear line in this material, facilitating removal of the pocket whichcontains the CD-ROM from the land portion 32. As illustrated in FIG. 8,after the CD-ROM holder 20 has been removed from the book 12, it remainsencapsulated in the relatively compact pocket 23 which holds the CD 10and the spacer 28. Because the CD-ROM holder 20 is incorporated into thebook 12 automatically during the binding process, a minimal amount ofmanual labor is required in order to integrate the CD-ROM 10 with thebook 12, thereby lowering the cost for producing the book 12.Furthermore, because the CD 10 is encapsulated within the pocket 23 ofthe CD-ROM holder 20, there is no possibility of the CD-ROM 10accidentally slipping out of the book 12. Finally, the CD-ROM holder 20of the present invention acts as a theft deterrent. Rather than simplyremoving the CD from the sleeve pocket in the back of the book as in theprior art design, a would-be thief would have to tear the CD-ROM holder20 from the back of the book, after which the CD-ROM holder 20 is stillgenerally too big to fit inside most clothing pockets. In order toremove the actual CD-ROM 10 from the CD-ROM holder 20, the vinyl must becut with a pair of scissors or a knife--an operation that would befairly time consuming and noticeable if done within a retailestablishment. The CD-ROM holder 20 of the present invention thereforepresents a substantial deterrent to retail theft.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated a signature grabber 60which may be used with the CD-ROM holder 20 of the present invention.The signature grabber 60 includes a hopper 62 into which a stack ofidentical signatures is placed prior to the signature gathering process.The hopper 62 includes an adjustable post 64 which is adapted to movewithin the slide channel 66, thereby adjusting the size of the hopper 62for differently sized signatures. In order to facilitate use of thesignature grabber 60 with the CD-ROM holder 20 of the present invention,a wedge shape spacer 68 is placed in the bottom of the hopper 62. Thewedge shaped spacer 68 is formed such that the upper surface thereofmakes an angle (such as 30°-45°) with the horizontal. A stack of CD-ROMholders 20 is then placed on the upper surface of the spacer 68. TheCD-ROM holders 20 are preferably oriented such that the land 32 isfacing the lower edge of the inclined slope of spacer 68.

As is known in the art, the signature grabber 60 operates by pulling thebottom signature off of the stack onto a drum (not shown) using airpressure suction. A gripper mechanism then contacts the upper surface ofthe bottom signature, pulling the bottom signature off of the stack andaround the rotating drum. In this way, the bottom signature off of thestack in the hopper 62 may be removed from the stack and placed onto amoving conveyer belt below the signature grabber 60.

It has been determined by the present inventor that the signaturegrabber 60 will feed the CD-ROM holders 20 most reliably when they areinclined at an angle so that they are substantially tangential to thedrum of the signature grabber 60. Provision of the land 32 on theleading edge of the CD-ROM holder 20 provides a flexible space to allowthe CD-ROM holder 20 to begin moving around the signature grabber 60drum before the grabber 60 grips the CD-ROM 10/spacer 28 portion of theholder 20. Such flexibility of the CD-ROM holder 20 during the initialgrabbing of the holder 20 greatly facilitates the grabbing operation.The inclusion of the spacer 28 around the CD-ROM 10 also makes thesignature grabbing process more reliable. Use of the cardboard spacer 28which is approximately the same thickness as the CD 10 provides aconsistent thickness reading as the CD-ROM holder 20 moves through thesignature grabber 60. The signature grabber 60 includes a calipermechanism which continuously reads the thickness of the signature as itis being pulled from the hopper 62. If the thickness is out oftolerance, the signature grabber 60 halts operation because more thanone signature may have been inadvertently grabbed from the hopper 62. Byproviding a relatively consistent thickness in the area around theCD-ROM 10, the occurrence of false halts by the signature grabber 60 isgreatly minimized.

After all of the book signatures have been assembled and the bindingoperation has been completed, the edges of the books 12 must be trimmedwith a cutting knife. In preparation for this cutting operation, thebook 12 is placed into a press and pressure is applied to the book sothat the pages are compacted in order to facilitate the cuttingoperation. When using a standard prior art press, the consistentpressure applied across the back cover of the book 12 containing theCD-ROM holder 11 can leave an impression of the CD-ROM 10/spacer 28 inthe back cover 50 of the book. In order to avoid this, the presentinvention provides for a specialized pressure pad 70 for the trimmerpress, as illustrated in FIG. 11. The pressure pad 70, when mounted intothe trimmer press, will contact the back cover 50 of the bound book 12.A relatively narrow raised lip 72 is formed around the exterior edge ofthe pressure pad 70. In a preferred embodiment, the raised lip 72 has awidth of approximately one quarter inch. The pressure pad 70 thereforeprovides pressure onto the back cover 50 of the book 12 only around theouter edge where the book is being trimmed, not directly upon the CD-ROMholder 20. This prevents the CD-ROM holder 20 from creating animpression on the back cover 50, thereby providing a much cleanerbinding.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that allchanges and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventionare desired to be protected. For example, the concepts of the presentinvention are not restricted to use with CD-ROMs, but are equallyapplicable to any data disk format, including non-disk-shaped memories,whether now known or hereafter developed. Also, the holder may be formedfrom any material, even though vinyl is the preferred material due toits ability to be heat sealed. Additionally, while a perfect bindingprocess has been used for illustrative purposes herein, the holder ofthe present invention may be used with any binding process.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data disk holder suitable for binding,comprising:first and second sheets of heat-sealable material; a datadisk positioned between the first and second sheets; and at least oneheat-seal fusing the first and second sheets; wherein the data disk issubstantially surrounded by the heat-seal and cannot be removed from theholder without breaking the heat-seal or cutting one of the first andsecond sheets, wherein the at least one heat-seal includes alongitudinal heat-seal extending substantially an entire longitudinallength of the holder, thereby forming a land separated from the datadisk by the longitudinal heat-seal and thereby forming a tear line alongthe longitudinal heat-seal.
 2. The holder of claim 1, wherein the firstand second sheets are vinyl.
 3. The holder of claim 1, wherein the datadisk is a CD-ROM.
 4. The holder of claim 1, wherein the at least oneheat-seal includes a plurality of parallel seals along one edge of theholder, wherein the plurality of parallel seals create a region ofrelative structural rigidity.
 5. The holder of claim 1, furthercomprising:a spacer substantially surrounding the data disk, wherein thespacer is substantially surrounded by the heat-seal.
 6. The holder ofclaim 5, wherein the spacer is formed from cardboard having a cardboardthickness substantially equal to a data disk thickness.
 7. A method forbinding a data disk into a book, comprising the steps of:a) providingfirst and second sheets of heat-sealable material; b) positioning thedata disk between the first and second sheets; c) forming at least oneheat-seal fusing the first and second sheets, thereby forming a datadisk holder, wherein the data disk is substantially surrounded by theheat-seal, including forming a longitudinal heat-seal extendingsubstantially an entire longitudinal length of the holder, therebyforming a land separated from the data disk by the longitudinalheat-seal and thereby forming a tear line along the longitudinalheat-seal; d) providing at least one printed signature; e) gathering theholder with the at least one signature; and f) binding the holder andthe at least one signature in order to form the book.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein step (a) comprises providing first and second sheetsformed of vinyl.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein step (b) comprisespositioning a CD-ROM between the first and second sheets.
 10. The methodof claim 7, further comprising the step of:g) positioning a spacerbetween the first and second sheets and substantially surrounding thedata disk, wherein the spacer is substantially surrounded by theheat-seal.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the holder is bound at alocation of the land.
 12. A method for binding a data disk into a book,comprising the steps of:a) providing first and second sheets ofheat-sealable material; b) positioning the data disk between the firstand second sheets; c) forming at least one heat-seal fusing the firstand second sheets, thereby forming a data disk holder, wherein the datadisk is substantially surrounded by the heat-seal, including forming aplurality of parallel seals along one edge of the holder, wherein theplurality of parallel seals create a region of relative structuralrigidity; d) providing at least one printed signature; e) gathering theholder with the at least one signature; and f) binding the holder andthe at least one signature in order to form the book; and g) trimmingthe book such that the region of relative structural rigidity is removedfrom the book.
 13. A method for forming a data disk holder suitable forbinding, comprising the steps of:a) providing first and second sheets ofheat-sealable material; b) positioning the data disk between the firstand second sheets; and c) forming at least one heat-seal fusing thefirst and second sheets, thereby forming a data disk holder, wherein thedata disk is substantially surrounded by the heat-seal, includingforming a longitudinal heat-seal extending substantially an entirelongitudinal length of the holder, thereby forming a land separated fromthe data disk by the longitudinal heat-seal and thereby forming a tearline along the longitudinal heat-seal.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein step (c) further comprises:c.1) providing a die having aheat-seal pattern thereon; c.2) heating the die; and c.3) pressing theheated die upon the first and second sheets, wherein said pressing formsat least one heat-seal fusing the first and second sheets, therebyforming a data disk holder, wherein the spacer is substantiallysurrounded by the heat-seal.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein step(a) comprises providing first and second sheets formed of vinyl.
 16. Themethod of claim 13, wherein step (b) comprises positioning a CD-ROMbetween the first and second sheets.
 17. The method of claim 13, whereinstep (c) comprises forming a plurality of parallel seals along one edgeof the holder, wherein the plurality of parallel seals create a regionof relative structural rigidity.
 18. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising the step of:d) positioning a spacer between the first andsecond sheets and substantially surrounding the data disk, wherein thespacer is substantially surrounded by the heat-seal.